Govt releases over Rs.284mln for agriculture development projects

ISLAMABAD, Oct 30 (APP): The government has so far released Rs
284.212 million for various developmental projects of the National Food Security and Research Division under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2015-16 against the total allocation of Rs 1500 million earmarked for the division this year.
Out of the total releases, the government released Rs.89.646 million
for Research for Agriculture Development Programme project for which Rs.428.229 million have been approved for the current year, according to official data.
Out of total allocations of Rs.300 million for the project titled Promotion of Olive Cultivation on Commercial Scale in Pakistan, the Ministry of Planning, Development and Research so far released Rs.60 million.
Rupees 40 million have been released for the Indigenization of
Hybrid Seed Production for Enhanced Crop Production project for which Rs. 200 million have been earmarked for this year whereas Rs.10 million have been provided for Pak China Cooperation for Agricultural Research and Development Project out of it total allocations of Rs.50 million.
The ministry also released Rs.14 million for up-gradation of Agri Zone Research Institute for which Rs.70 million have been fixed under the PSDP 2015-16.
The government released Rs.7.148 million for strengthening of coastal agriculture research station Bhawani Balochistan and Rs.7.362 for up-gradation and establishment of animal quarantine stations in Pakistan.
The ministry released Rs.8.979 million for monitoring of crops through satellite technology project and Rs.4.393 million for rehabilitation and strengthening of summer agricultural research station at Kaghan.
Rs 7.285 million have been released for establishment of livestock research institute, Turbat, Rs.6.822 million for establishment of horticulture research institute Khuzdar Balochistan and Rs.2 million for Kitchen Gardening project.
Rs 3.242 million have been released for establishment of American cannel Catfish hatchery whereas Rs 0.2 million have been released for capacity of development of agriculture extension services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It is pertinent to mention here that the government released over Rs 164.549 billion for different social sector developmental projects under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2015-16 as against the total allocation of Rs 700 billion.
The Planning Commission of Pakistan has following a proper mechanism to release funds as per following quarterly ceilings: first quarter (July-September) 20 percent, second quarter (October-December) 20 percent, third quarter (January-March) 30 percent and fourth quarter (April-June) 30 percent.